FARM Livestock

6 Best Horse Treat Recipes Without Molasses Using Pantry Staples

Discover 6 easy, molasses-free horse treat recipes made with pantry staples. Bake a healthier, homemade reward using simple ingredients like oats and apples.

You reach for the treat tub, and it’s empty. A quick scan of the pantry reveals oats, flour, and some aging apples, but no molasses for your go-to recipe. Making your own horse treats is a great way to control ingredients and save a few dollars, especially when you can use what you already have on hand.

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Why Choose Molasses-Free Treats for Your Horse

Many traditional horse treat recipes call for molasses as a binder and sweetener. While it’s a classic ingredient, it’s essentially pure sugar. For some horses, this is a significant problem.

Horses with metabolic issues like Insulin Resistance (IR) or Cushing’s Disease (PPID) must have their sugar intake strictly managed. Molasses can cause dangerous spikes in their blood sugar. Even for a healthy horse, constantly feeding high-sugar treats isn’t ideal. It’s like us eating candy all day; it contributes to weight gain and can lead to health problems down the road.

Choosing molasses-free recipes isn’t just for metabolically sensitive horses. It’s a proactive choice for any owner wanting to provide a healthier reward. By skipping the molasses, you focus on the nutritional value of the other ingredients—like fiber from oats or vitamins from carrots—without the empty calories. You gain complete control over what your horse consumes, which is one of the biggest advantages of making things yourself.

Quaker Oats & Apple No-Bake Bites Recipe

These are the fastest treats you can make, perfect for when you’re short on time. They require zero baking and use ingredients you almost certainly have right now. The texture is soft and chewy, which most horses love.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
    • 1/2 cup grated apple (about one medium apple)
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 tablespoon of water (if needed)

Simply mix the oats, grated apple, and applesauce in a bowl until a sticky dough forms. If the mixture is too dry to hold together, add a tablespoon of water. Roll the dough into small, bite-sized balls and place them on a wax-paper-lined tray. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. These must be stored in the fridge due to the fresh apple.

Bob’s Red Mill Flax & Carrot Crunch Cookies

For a treat with a satisfying crunch and an extra nutritional boost, these baked cookies are a fantastic choice. The ground flax adds healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for coat condition and joint health. Carrots provide a natural sweetness without added sugar.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour, flaxseed meal, and grated carrots. Gradually add the water and mix until a stiff dough forms. You might need to use your hands to bring it all together.

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into small shapes with a cookie cutter or knife. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and hard. Let them cool completely before feeding; they will get crunchier as they cool.

King Arthur Flour Peppermint & Oat Biscuits

Peppermint is a flavor most horses can’t resist. These hard, crunchy biscuits are excellent for a satisfying reward that takes a moment to chew. Using peppermint extract gives you all the flavor without the sugar of crushed candies.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine the flour and oats in a bowl. In a separate small cup, mix the peppermint extract with 1/2 cup of water, then pour it into the dry ingredients. Mix until a firm dough forms, adding more water a little at a time if it’s too crumbly.

Roll the dough thin, about 1/4-inch, and cut into desired shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 20 minutes. For an extra-hard, long-lasting biscuit, turn off the oven and let the treats cool inside with the door cracked. This dries them out completely.

Jif Peanut Butter & Banana Power Balls

This is a higher-energy, no-bake treat perfect for after a long ride or for a horse that needs to gain a little weight. While not an everyday treat for an easy keeper, it’s a great option for a special reward. A common question is whether horses can have peanut butter—in small amounts, it’s perfectly fine for most.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1 ripe banana, mashed
    • 1/4 cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter (check for no xylitol)
    • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (optional)

Crucially, ensure your peanut butter does not contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to many animals. In a bowl, combine the mashed banana and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in the oats and optional flaxseed until everything is well-coated.

Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a tray lined with wax paper. Because of the fresh banana, these treats are soft and need to be refrigerated for an hour to set. They must be stored in the refrigerator and used within a few days.

Sun-Maid Raisin & Sweet Potato Baked Treats

This recipe offers a unique flavor profile and a wonderful, chewy texture. Cooked sweet potato is an excellent source of Vitamin A and acts as a natural binder. Raisins add little bursts of sweetness, but they are high in sugar, so use them sparingly.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
    • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
    • 1/4 cup Sun-Maid Raisins
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix the mashed sweet potato, oats, raisins, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be sticky.

Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are firm and lightly browned. These treats will be soft on the inside when cooled.

Mott’s Applesauce Frozen Summer Horse Pops

When the weather gets hot, a frozen treat is a welcome relief. These couldn’t be simpler and provide a great way to help your horse cool down and stay hydrated. They take minutes to prepare and can be made in large batches.

Whisk the applesauce and water together in a bowl. If you’re adding grated carrots or apple, stir them in. The mixture should be thin enough to pour easily.

Pour the mixture into standard ice cube trays. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until solid. Pop one or two out on a hot day for a refreshing, hydrating treat. This is a treat to be fed by hand, not left in a feed bucket where a horse might try to swallow it whole.

Storing Your Homemade Treats Safely

How you store your treats is just as important as how you make them. Improper storage can lead to spoilage, waste, and even make your horse sick. The right method depends entirely on the ingredients.

Treats made with fresh ingredients like apple, banana, or carrot have a high moisture content. These must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. No-bake bites should be eaten within 3-4 days. Baked treats with fresh produce might last up to a week. Always check for mold before feeding.

Hard, crunchy, baked biscuits with no fresh fruit or vegetables are much more shelf-stable. Once they are completely cool and dry, they can be stored in an airtight container or cookie jar at room temperature for several weeks. If you see any signs of moisture or softness, they weren’t baked long enough and should be refrigerated or frozen.

For long-term storage, nearly all homemade treats freeze beautifully. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and allows you to grab just one or two at a time.

Making healthy, molasses-free treats from your pantry staples is simple and rewarding. It gives you full control over your horse’s diet and provides a tangible way to connect with your animal. Experiment with these recipes and find your horse’s new favorite.

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